초록

A method of deactivating an explosive composition provided in an explosive cartridge, which method comprises exposing the explosive composition to a deactivating agent that renders the explosive composition insensitive to detonation, wherein the deactivating agent is a chemical.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of deactivating an explosive cartridge in a blasting operation during mining, quarrying, or seismic exploration in which an explosive composition provided in an explosive cartridge is rendered insensitive to detonation after a predetermined amount of time, comprising the following steps:

1. A method of deactivating an explosive cartridge in a blasting operation during mining, quarrying, or seismic exploration in which an explosive composition provided in an explosive cartridge is rendered insensitive to detonation after a predetermined amount of time, comprising the following steps: (a) positioning the explosive cartridge in a borehole and priming the explosive cartridge with an initiating device;(b) contacting the explosive composition with a chemical deactivating agent that is contained in the explosive cartridge and that is capable of reacting with the explosive composition to render the explosive composition insensitive to detonation; and(c) allowing the chemical deactivating agent to react with the explosive composition so that the explosive composition is rendered insensitive to detonation by the initiation device,wherein the explosive composition remains sensitive to detonation by the initiating device for a controlled amount of time after the explosive cartridge has been positioned in the borehole and primed with the initiation device, the controlled amount of time being less than the predetermined amount of time, and wherein steps (b) and (c) take place so that the explosive composition is rendered insensitive to detonation following the predetermined amount of time, andwherein the chemical deactivating agent and explosive composition are separated by a barrier element and wherein the barrier element is ruptured or removed by (i) insertion of the initiating device into the cartridge, thereby causing the chemical deactivating agent and explosive composition to come into contact with each other, or (ii) connecting one of the explosive cartridges to another of the explosive cartridges. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the explosive composition is TNT, RDX or HMX, and the chemical deactivating agent causes alkaline hydrolysis of the explosive composition. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the explosive composition comprises RDX and the chemical deactivating agent comprises zero-valent iron. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the explosive composition is a nitro-containing explosive and the chemical deactivating agent is a solution comprising a superoxide salt. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the explosive composition is desensitised through the combined activity of the chemical deactivating agent and another reagent useful in deactivating the explosive composition. 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the another reagent is a reagent external to the explosive cartridge that enters the cartridge, or is introduced into the cartridge during use thereof and that can contribute to desensitisation of the explosive composition. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the explosive cartridge is adapted to allow the another reagent to be introduced into or enter the explosive cartridge as required. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the explosive cartridge is a seismic charge. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the barrier element is ruptured or removed by insertion of the initiating device into the cartridge, thereby causing the chemical deactivating agent and explosive composition to come into contact with each other. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the barrier element is ruptured or removed by connecting one of the explosive cartridges to another of the explosive cartridges. 11. A method of deactivating an explosive cartridge in a blasting operation during mining, quarrying, or seismic exploration in which an emulsion explosive composition provided in an explosive cartridge is rendered insensitive to detonation after a predetermined amount of time, comprising the following steps: (a) positioning the explosive cartridge in a borehole and priming the explosive cartridge with an initiating device;(b) contacting the emulsion explosive composition with a chemical deactivating agent that is contained in the explosive cartridge and that is capable of rendering the emulsion explosive composition unstable thereby causing the emulsion explosive composition to be insensitive to detonation; and(c) allowing the chemical deactivating agent to act on the emulsion explosive composition so that the emulsion explosive composition is rendered insensitive to detonation by the initiation device,wherein the emulsion explosive composition remains sensitive to detonation by the initiating device for a controlled amount of time after the explosive cartridge has been positioned in the borehole and primed with the initiation device, the controlled amount of time being less than the predetermined amount of time, and wherein steps (b) and (c) take place so that the emulsion explosive composition is rendered insensitive to detonation following the predetermined amount of time andwherein the chemical deactivating agent and emulsion explosive composition are separated by a barrier element and wherein the barrier element is ruptured or removed by (i) insertion of the initiating device into the cartridge, thereby causing the chemical deactivating agent and emulsion explosive composition to come into contact with each other, or (ii) connecting one of the explosive cartridges to another of the explosive cartridges. 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the emulsion explosive composition is desensitised through the combined activity of the chemical deactivating agent and another reagent useful in deactivating the emulsion explosive composition. 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the another reagent is a reagent external to the explosive cartridge that enters the cartridge, or is introduced into the cartridge during use thereof and that can contribute to desensitisation of the emulsion explosive composition. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the explosive cartridge is adapted to allow the another reagent to be introduced into or enter the explosive cartridge as required. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the explosive cartridge is a seismic charge. 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the barrier element is ruptured or removed by insertion of the initiating device into the cartridge, thereby causing the chemical deactivating agent and emulsion explosive composition to come into contact with each other. 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the barrier element is ruptured or removed by connecting one of the explosive cartridges to another of the explosive cartridges.